Health Center Expanded Services

June 26, 2014

On June 3, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of $300 million in Affordable Care Act (ACA) funds to expand services at community health centers. Funds may be used to expand service hours, hire more medical providers and add oral health, behavioral health, and pharmacy or vision services.

To apply for the grant, health centers must demonstrate how funds will be used to expand medical capacity and the provision of services to underserved populations in their service areas. Applications for funding are due by July 1, 2014, with awards expected in September 2014.

Depending on the number of approvable applications, funds may be awarded consistent with available dollars. Cost sharing or matching is not a requirement for this funding.

The following uses of funds are not permitted:

• Construction costs, including minor alterations and renovation
• Fixed/installed equipment
• Facility, land or vehicle purchases

The information in this document is based on preliminary review of the national health care reform legislation and is not intended to impart legal advice. The federal government continues to issue guidance on how the provisions of national health reform should be interpreted and applied. The impact of these reforms on individual situations may vary. This overview is intended as an educational tool only and does not replace a more rigorous review of the law’s applicability to individual circumstances and attendant legal counsel and should not be relied upon as legal or compliance advice. As required by US Treasury Regulations, we also inform you that any tax information contained in this communication is not intended to be used and cannot be used by any taxpayer to avoid penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.